Preoperative Renin-Angiotensin System Antagonists Intake and Blood Pressure Responses During Ambulatory Surgical Procedures: A Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: There is limited evidence to inform the association between the intake of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs)/angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) and intraoperative blood pressure (BP) changes in an ambulatory surgery population. METHODS: Adult patients who underwent ambulatory surgery and were discharged on the same day or within 24 hours of their procedure were enrolled in this prospective cohort study. The primary outcome of the study was early intraoperative hypotension (first 15 minutes of induction). Secondary outcomes included any hypotension, BP variability, and recovery. Hypotension was defined as a decrease in systolic BP of >30% from baseline for ≥5 minutes or a mean BP of <55 mm Hg. Four exposure groups were compared (no antihypertensives, ACEI/ARB intake <10 hours before surgery, ACEI/ARB intake ≥10 hours before surgery, and other antihypertensives). RESULTS: Of the 537 participants, early hypotension was observed in 25% (n = 134), and any hypotension in 41.5% (n = 223). Early hypotension occurred in 30% (29 of 98) and 41% (17 of 41) with the intake of ACEI/ARBs <10 and ≥10 hours before surgery, respectively, compared to 30% (9 of 30) with other antihypertensives and 21% (79 of 368) with no antihypertensives ( P = .02). Those on antihypertensives also experienced any hypotension more frequently than those who were not on antihypertensives ( P < .001). After adjusting for age and baseline BP in a regression analysis, antihypertensive exposure groups were observed to be associated only with any intraoperative hypotension ( P = .012). In the ACEI/ARB subset, there was no evidence of an association between time since the last ACEI/ARB dose, and hypotension or minimum mean or systolic BP. Compared to normal baseline BP, BP ≥ 140/90 mm Hg increased the odds of early and any hypotension (odds ratio [OR], 3.9; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.1-7.1 and OR, 7.7; 95% CI, 3.7-14.9, respectively; P < .001). Intraoperative variability in systolic and diastolic BP demonstrated significant differences with age, baseline BP, and antihypertensive exposure group ( P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Early and any hypotension occurred more frequently in those on antihypertensives than those not on antihypertensives. Unadjusted associations between antihypertensive exposure and intraoperative hypotension were largely explained by baseline hypertension rather than the timing of ACEI/ARBs or type of antihypertensive exposure. Patients with hypertension and on treatment experience more intraoperative BP variability and should be monitored appropriately.

State-wide prevalence of pressure injury in intensive care versus acute general patients: A five-year analysis.

AIM: The aim of this study was to analyse prevalence of pressure injury in intensive care versus non-intensive care patients. BACKGROUND: Hospital-acquired pressure injury is an enduring problem. Intensive care patients are more susceptible due to multiple risk factors. Several studies have indicated that intensive care patients are more likely than general patients to develop pressure injuries. DESIGN: Secondary data analysis. METHODS: Eighteen general hospitals with intensive care units were included. The sample included all consenting patients. Logistic regression modelling was used to derive prevalence and effect estimates. STROBE reporting guidelines were followed. RESULTS: The sample comprised 15,678 patients; 611 were in intensive care. The crude prevalence estimate of hospital-acquired pressure injury was 9.6% in intensive care and 2.1% in non-intensive care patients. The ≥Stage II hospital-acquired prevalence estimate in was 8.6% intensive care and 1.2% in non-intensive care patients. Intensive care patients were at markedly increased risk of hospital-acquired pressure injury compared with non-intensive care patients, with risk persisting after adjusting for pressure injury risk score. Risk of ≥ Stage II hospital-acquired pressure injury was further elevated. Intensive care patients had a higher pressure injury risk level and developed a greater proportion of severe hospital-acquired pressure injuries than non-intensive care patients. In intensive care, most hospital-acquired pressure injuries were found on the sacrum/coccyx and heels. CONCLUSIONS: There were significant differences between the hospital-acquired pressure injury prevalence of intensive care versus non-intensive care patients, which is consistent with previous studies. Overall, the prevalence of hospital-acquired pressure injury in intensive care is relatively high, indicating that their prevention should remain a high priority within the intensive care setting. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: These results may be used for benchmarking and provide a focus for future education and practice improvement efforts. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Neither patients nor the public were directly involved in the project.

A protocol of an international validation study to assess the clinical accuracy of the eDIS-ICU delirium screening tool.

BACKGROUND: Delirium is a common, yet underdiagnosed neuropsychiatric complication of intensive care unit (ICU) admission, associated with significant mortality and morbidity. Delirium can be difficult to diagnose, with gold standard assessments by a trained specialist being impractical and rarely performed. To address this, various tools have been developed, enabling bedside clinicians to assess for delirium efficiently and accurately. However, the performance of these tools varies depending on factors including the assessor's training. To address the shortcomings of current tools, electronic tools have been developed. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aims of this validation study are to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and generalisability of a recently developed and pilot-tested electronic delirium screening tool (eDIS-ICU) and compare diagnostic concordance, sensitivity, and specificity between eDIS-ICU, Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU (CAM-ICU), and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - 5th edition (DSM-V) gold standard in diverse ICU settings. METHODS: Seven hundred participants will be recruited across five sites in three countries. Participants will complete three assessments (eDIS-ICU, CAM-ICU, and DSM-V) twice within one 24-h period. At each time point, assessments will be completed within one hour. Assessments will be administered by three different people at any given time point, with the assessment order and assessor for eDIS-ICU and CAM-ICU randomly allocated. Assessors will be blinded to previous and concurrent assessment results. RESULTS: The primary outcome is comparing diagnostic sensitivity of eDIS-ICU and CAM-ICU against the DSM-V. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: This protocol describes a definitive validation study of an electronic diagnostic tool to assess for delirium in the ICU. Delirium remains a common and difficult challenge in the ICU and is linked with multiple neurocognitive sequelae. Various challenges to routine assessment mean many cases are still unrecognised or misdiagnosed. An improved ability for bedside clinicians to screen for delirium accurately and efficiently will support earlier diagnosis, identification of underlying cause(s) and timely treatments, and ultimately improved patient outcomes. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: This study was prospectively registered on the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) on 8th February 2022 (ACTRN12622000220763).

Long-Term Survival, Stroke Recurrence, and Life Expectancy After an Acute Stroke in Australia and New Zealand From 2008-2017: A Population-Wide Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Data on long-term outcomes following an acute stroke are sparse. We assessed survival, risk of recurrent stroke and loss in life expectancy following an acute stroke using population-wide data from Australia and New Zealand. METHODS: We included all adults with the first stroke hospitalization during 2008 and 2017 at all public and most private hospitals. Patients were followed up to 10 years after the stroke by linkage to each region's Registry of Deaths and subsequent hospitalizations. Flexible parametric survival modeling was used to estimate all-cause mortality, stroke recurrence, and loss in life expectancy. Competing risk model was used when estimating the risk of stroke recurrence. RESULTS: Three hundred thirteen thousand one hundred sixty-two patients were included (mean age 73.0±14.6 y, 52.0% males) with ischemic stroke (175 547, 56.1%) being the most common, followed by hemorrhagic stroke (77 940, 24.9%) and unspecified stroke (59 675, 19.1%). The overall survival probability was 79.4% at 3 months, 73.0% at 1 year, 52.8% at 5 years, and 36.4% at 10 years. Cumulative incidence of stroke recurrence was 7.8% at 3 months, 11.0% at 1 year, 19.8% at 5 years, and 26.8% at 10 years. Hemorrhagic stroke was associated with greater mortality (hazard ratio, 2.02 [95% CI, 1.99-2.04]) and recurrent stroke (hazard ratio, 1.63 [95% CI, 1.59-1.67]) compared with ischemic stroke. Female sex (hazard ratio, 1.10 [95% CI, 1.09-1.11]) and increasing age (≥85 years versus 18-54 years: hazard ratio, 7.36 [95% CI, 7.15-7.57]) were also associated with increased mortality. Several risk factors including atherosclerotic coronary and noncoronary vascular disease, cardiac arrhythmia, and diabetes were associated with increased risk of mortality and recurrent stroke. Compared with the general population, an acute stroke was associated with a loss of 5.5 years of life expectancy, or 32.7% of the predicted life expectancy, and was pronounced in patients with a hemorrhagic stroke (7.4 years and 38.5% of predicted life expectancy lost). CONCLUSIONS: In this population-wide study, death and recurrence of stroke were common after an acute stroke and an acute stroke was associated with considerable loss in life expectancy. Further improvements in treatment and secondary prevention of stroke are needed to reduce these risks.

Sex differences in time to primary percutaneous coronary intervention and outcomes in patients presenting with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVES: We assessed sex differences in treatment and outcomes in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). BACKGROUND: Historically, delays to timely reperfusion and poorer outcomes have been described in women who suffer STEMI. However, whether these sex discrepancies still exist with contemporary STEMI treatment remains to be evaluated. METHODS: Consecutive STEMI patients treated with primary PCI patients over a 10-year period (January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2019) from a tertiary referral center were assessed. Comparisons were performed between patient's sex. Primary outcomes were 30-day and 1-year mortality. Secondary outcomes were STEMI performance measures. RESULTS: Most patients (n = 950; 76%) were male. Females were on average older (66.8 vs. 61.4 years males; p < 0.001). Prehospital treatment delays did not differ between sexes (54 min [IQR: 44-65] females vs. 52 min [IQR: 43-62] males; p = 0.061). STEMI performance measures (door-to-balloon, first medical contact-to-balloon [FMCTB]) differed significantly with longer median durations in females and fewer females achieving FMCTB < 90 min (28% females vs. 39% males; p < 0.001). Women also experienced greater rates of initial radial arterial access failure (11.3% vs. 3.1%; p < 0.001). However, there were no significant sex differences in crude or adjusted mortality between sexes at 30-days (3.6% male vs. 5.1% female; p = 0.241, adjusted OR: 1.1, 95% CI: 0.5-2.2, p = 0.82) or at 1-year (4.8% male vs. 6.8% female; p = 0.190, adjusted OR: 1.0, (95% CI: 0.5-1.8; p = 0.96). CONCLUSION: Small discrepancies between sexes in measures of timely reperfusion for STEMI still exist. No significant sex differences were observed in either 30-day or 1-year mortality.

Safety and efficacy of high-flow nasal cannula therapy in acute hypercapnic respiratory failure: a retrospective audit.

BACKGROUND: While the role of high-flow nasal cannulae (HFNC) in the management of respiratory failure continues to expand, few studies describe its use in acute hypercapnic respiratory failure. AIMS: In this retrospective study, we assessed the safety and efficacy of HFNC for the treatment of acute hypercapnic respiratory failure. METHODS: Admissions with acute hypercapnic respiratory failure to a thoracic medicine unit at a tertiary centre between January and August 2018 were included if treated with either HFNC or non-invasive ventilation (NIV). The primary outcome was post-treatment change in arterial pCO2 . Demographics, comorbidities, length of stay, readmission rate and mortality were also collected. RESULTS: Sixty-four patients were identified, comprising 69 presentations grouped according to initial treatment: HFNC (n = 24) or NIV (n = 45). Patients in the NIV group had more severe blood gas derangement. In both groups, mean arterial pCO2 improved significantly (-10 (95% confidence interval: -14 to -6) mmHg) from baseline with no evidence of a differential effect between groups. Six (25%) patients, of whom three had comorbid obesity and two had sleep-disordered breathing, were transitioned from HFNC to NIV. No significant differences in hospital length of stay, 30-day readmission rate or 90-day mortality were observed. CONCLUSIONS: HFNC might be a reasonable initial treatment for patients with mild acute hypercapnic respiratory failure who do not have comorbid obesity or sleep-disordered breathing. A prospective study might help identify clinical factors or phenotypes predictive of success with this treatment modality.

Cohort study of sleep quality in adult patients with acute pulmonary exacerbations of cystic fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: The impact of an acute pulmonary exacerbation of cystic fibrosis (CF) on sleep quality has not been established. Patients have greater burden of symptoms, higher intensity of therapy and are often admitted to hospital outside of their usual sleeping environment. AIMS: To evaluate the prevalence of, and factors associated with, poor sleep quality in adult patients admitted to hospital with an acute exacerbation of CF lung disease. METHODS: This prospective, observational study determined the prevalence of impaired sleep quality and associated factors in adult patients admitted to a single CF unit with an acute pulmonary exacerbation of CF. Sleep quality was defined by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), with >5 indicating poor sleep quality. Data were obtained through patient questionnaires, chart review and examination. RESULTS: Sixty-six percent of patients had impaired sleep quality. Patients with poor sleep had more sleep disruption due to pain (median response 'mild sleep disruption' vs 'no sleep disruption'; P = 0.003) and insomnia (mean Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) 13 vs 5; P < 0.001). In patients with symptoms of restless legs, poor sleepers had worse symptoms (mean International Restless Legs Severity Score (IRLSS) 15 vs 5; P = 0.029). Univariate modelling showed relationships between PSQI and symptoms of depression and anxiety as well as with sleep disruption due to pain, general noise and nursing observations. In a multivariable model, ISI was the only variable that remained significantly associated with PSQI. Mean PSQI score increased 0.58 units for each 1 unit increase in ISI (95% CI 0.42-0.73; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Poor sleep quality is common among patients admitted with an acute exacerbation of CF and is strongly associated with insomnia symptoms in this cohort.

Differences in biomarkers of cardiac dysfunction in cord blood between normal pregnancies and pregnancies complicated by maternal diabetes.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to compare biomarkers of cardiac dysfunction in cord blood in women with uncomplicated pregnancies and pregnancies complicated by maternal pre-gestational and gestational diabetes and to correlate these findings with fetal echocardiography parameters of cardiac function. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fetal echocardiographic assessment was performed longitudinally on 78 fetuses in the normal cohort and 32 in the diabetic cohort by measuring tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, mitral annular plane systolic excursion, myocardial performance index, interventricular septum (IVS) thickness and left fractional shortening between July 2015 and December 2017. Cord blood samples were obtained at birth and levels of troponin I (TnI), B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and the amnio terminal segment of its prohormone measured. RESULTS: Women with diabetes had significantly higher median body mass index and mean z-scores for BNP. Significant associations were observed between maternal diabetes and obesity and cord-blood BNP z-scores. The effect of diabetes on TnI levels were similar, with mean values higher in women with gestational diabetes compared to normal pregnancies; however, this difference did not reach statistical significance. These biomarker findings correlated with an increased IVS thickness in the diabetic group. No difference was demonstrated in the other cardiac function parameters measured. CONCLUSION: Biochemical markers of cardiac dysfunction are elevated in infants of diabetic and obese mothers and correlated with increased IVS thickness.

Clinical Outcomes in Pre-Hospital Activation and Direct Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory Transfer of STEMI for Primary PCI.

INTRODUCTION: Pre-hospital activation and direct cardiac catheterisation laboratory (CCL) transfer of ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) has previously been shown to improve door-to-balloon (DTB) times yet there is limited outcome data in the Australian context. We aimed to assess the impact of pre-hospital activation on STEMI performance measures and mortality. METHODS: Prospective cohort study of consecutive ambulance transported STEMI patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) patients over a 10-year period (1 January 2008-31 December 2017) at The Prince Charles Hospital, a large quaternary referral centre in Brisbane, Queensland Australia. Comparisons were performed between patients who underwent pre-hospital CCL activation and patients who did not. STEMI performance measures, 30-day and 1-year mortality were examined. RESULTS: Amongst 1,009 patients included (mean age: 62.8 yrs±12.6), pre-hospital activation increased over time (26.6% in 2008 to 75.0% in 2017, p<0.001). Median DTB time (35 mins vs 76 mins p<0.001) and percentage meeting targets (DTB<60 mins 92% vs 27%, p<0.001) improved significantly with pre-hospital activation. Pre-hospital activation was associated with significantly lower 30-day (1.0% vs 3.5%, p=0.007) and 1-year (1.2% vs 7.7%, p<0.001) mortality. After adjusting for confounders and mediators, we observed a strong total effect of pre-hospital activation on 1-year mortality (OR 5.3, 95%CI 2.2-12.4, p<0.001) compared to patients who did not have pre-hospital activation. False positive rates were 3.7% with pre-hospital activation. CONCLUSION: In patients who underwent primary PCI for STEMI, pre-hospital activation and direct CCL transfer is associated with low false positive rates, significantly reduced time to reperfusion and lower 30-day and 1-year mortality.

Impact of Patient BMI on Patient and Operator Radiation Dose During Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

AIMS: This study sought to investigate patient and operator radiation dose in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and the impact of body mass index (BMI) on patient and operator dose. METHODS: In patients undergoing PCI, radiation dose parameters, baseline characteristics and procedural data were collected in a tertiary centre for 3.5 years. Operators wore real time dosimeters. Patients were grouped by BMI. Dose area product (DAP) and operator radiation dose were compared across patient BMI categories. Multivariable analysis was performed to investigate the impact of patient BMI and other procedural variables on patient and operator dose. RESULTS: 2,043 patients underwent 2,197 PCI procedures. Each five-unit increase in BMI increased patient dose (expressed as DAP) by an average 31% (95% CI: 29-33%) and operator dose by 27% (95% CI: 20-33%). Patient dose was 2.3 times higher and operator dose was 2.4 times higher in patients with a BMI>40 than for normal BMI patients. Multivariable analysis indicated that there were many procedural factors that were predictors for increasing operator dose and patient dose but that patient BMI was a major contributor for both operator dose and patient dose. CONCLUSION: Increasing BMI increases the DAP and operator dose for PCI procedures and BMI is demonstrated to be a major factor that contributes to both patient and operator radiation dose.

Evaluation of inpatient oxygen therapy in hypercapnic chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BACKGROUND: High concentration oxygen therapy in hypercapnic chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with increased mortality. In ward-based patients with acute exacerbation of COPD and hypercapnia, this study examines oxygen prescription and the association between high concentration oxygen therapy and adverse outcome. AIMS: To investigate the association between over-oxygenation and in-hospital adverse events. METHODS: Inpatients with acute exacerbation of hypercapnic COPD at a tertiary Australian hospital over a 1-year period were retrospectively identified. Oxygen prescription and therapy was determined based on chart review. Over-oxygenation was defined as ≥10% of nursing chart observations recording oxygen delivery with oxygen saturation above 92%. A composite adverse outcome was defined as medical emergency team response, recommencement of non-invasive ventilation or death. The association between over-oxygenation and adverse outcome was assessed using survival analysis and conditional logistic regression modelling. RESULTS: The study cohort comprised 106 unique patients and 157 admissions. Oxygen prescription was recorded in 132 (84%) and over-oxygenation occurred in 97 (62%) admissions. Over-oxygenation was higher in non-respiratory ward admissions (76% vs 57%, P = 0.03) and those without any form of oxygen prescription (84% vs 58%, P = 0.01). During follow up, 23 (22%) patients experienced an adverse event. Cox proportional hazards modelling found weak evidence for increased risk of an adverse event in over-oxygenated patients (hazard ratio 2.5; 95% confidence interval 0.8-7.3, P = 0.10). Conditional logistic regression, after matching on age, Charlson comorbidity category and length of follow up, found a similar estimate of association (hazard ratio 2.6; 95% confidence interval 0.8-8.7, P = 0.12). CONCLUSIONS: Over-oxygenation to hypercapnic COPD inpatients is common and rates of oxygen prescription are suboptimal. We found weak evidence of association between over-oxygenation and adverse events, likely due to low statistical power. Larger prospective studies are needed.

Outcomes of artery embolisation for cystic fibrosis patients with haemoptysis: a 20-year experience at a major Australian tertiary centre.

There are no published data on Australian adult cystic fibrosis (CF) patient outcomes post bronchial arterial embolisation (BAE). We report 20 years of experience of BAE at a major Australian tertiary adult CF centre, where 46 patients underwent 100 BAE during this period. Mortality rate was comparable to previous studies (4% per year) and most who died had repeat BAE requirements. A higher proportion (9 out of 45) of patients were transplanted compared to previous publications. Repeat BAE was common and significantly higher in patients already on tranexamic acid.

Association between type of phototherapy management and hospital and patient-related outcomes in neonates with non-haemolytic jaundice at an Australian community hospital.

AIM: To evaluate the associations between type of light-emitting diode phototherapy intervention and hospital and patient related outcomes in term neonates with non-haemolytic jaundice. METHODS: A retrospective observational study in a community hospital within a disadvantaged area in Australia was conducted. Data was extracted from hospital systems and medical records regarding the use of three types of phototherapy surface-area exposure for term neonates ≤28 days with non-haemolytic neonatal jaundice. Associations between type of phototherapy management and length of stay (LOS), rate of serum bilirubin (SBR) decline and duration of phototherapy were estimated using the general linear mixed model or linear regression. RESULTS: Of 102 neonates diagnosed with non-haemolytic jaundice between 1 June 2016 and 31 August 2017, 82 were included in final analyses. Neonates treated for jaundice during their first (birth) admission had a median LOS of 118 h for single-sided and 125 h for maximal double-sided phototherapy. Differences by phototherapy type were not statistically significant (P = 0.06). SBR rate of decline increased as surface-area of phototherapy increased (P < 0.001) with the fastest decline seen in maximal double-sided phototherapy. Estimated duration of phototherapy did not vary by phototherapy type but did vary by age at initiation of phototherapy (P = 0.006), with 16 fewer hours of phototherapy if commenced at ≥72 to <96 h versus ≥24 to 48 h of age (difference -16.4 h, 95% confidence interval -29.1 to -3.7 h). CONCLUSIONS: LOS and phototherapy duration were not associated with phototherapy type. Older neonates with neonatal jaundice required shorter phototherapy duration. Double-sided phototherapy was associated with faster reduction in SBR.

The impact of an electronic hospital system on therapeutic drug monitoring.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Australian hospitals have undergone a transformation with both a review and expansion of traditional roles of healthcare professionals and the implementation of an ieMR. The implementation of an ieMR brings large scale organizational change within the health system especially for staff with direct patient contact. This is changing the future of healthcare and the roles of healthcare professionals. There is minimal research on the impact of these electronic systems on the people and processes required to realise the improvements in patient care such as therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) and the role of the pharmacist within the TDM process. The literature has discussed the use of computerised programs to assist with the interpretation of results and calculating of doses but the impact of an ieMR on the TDM process has not been discussed. This study undertook a retrospective analysis at an Australian tertiary hospital to investigate the impact of a digital hospital system on TDM within the facility. METHODS: A 2-year retrospective audit was conducted on TDM at an Australian Tertiary Hospital. The periods were 2016 (a paper-based hospital) and 2018 (ieMR). Patients were identified using the pathology database. Patients were excluded if under the age of 18, in an outpatient setting or the emergency department. Progress notes, medication charts, ieMR and other relevant pathology were reviewed. They were assessed for appropriateness of the timing of collection, compliance to recommended TDM guidelines, and pharmacist documentation. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: A total of 2926 observations were included in the analysis. There was as similar percentage of appropriately collected samples between the paper-based system (2016) and the digital hospital system (2018) with 59% and 58% respectively. Results of logistic regression analysis models show the effect of year was not significant with regards to TDM for either a sample being appropriate or the dose adjustment being appropriate. Samples for TDM were more likely to be appropriate if the pharmacist had documented advice but less likely with regards to appropriate dose adjustment. This study considered the effect of introducing a hospital wide digital system on TDM processes. Overall, the results indicate no difference between the paper-based system and ieMR for appropriate samples and doses adjustments. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first study of this kind looking at the impact of a digital hospital system on TDM. The introduction of a digital hospital system does not appear to have made improvement on the effective use of TDM. Inappropriate sampling as seen in this study can lead to ineffective clinical management of patients, inefficient use of time, and waste of financial resources. Further work is required to incorporate specific guidance and recommendations within the digital system to optimize TDM.

Effectiveness of Vancomycin Dosing Guided by Therapeutic Drug Monitoring in Adult Patients Receiving Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

The clinical situation for patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is complex, and drug dosing is complicated by significant pharmacokinetic alterations. We sought to describe the frequency of achievement of therapeutic vancomycin concentrations in critically ill patients receiving ECMO with therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM). In this retrospective observational study, we included all critically ill patients receiving TDM for vancomycin while on ECMO. The primary outcome was the proportion of plasma vancomycin concentrations in the therapeutic range (15 to 20 mg/liter). Factors associated with not achieving therapeutic concentrations were investigated, including ECMO duration and use of renal replacement therapies. Vancomycin TDM was performed for 77 of 116 (66%) patients on ECMO. Median (interquartile range) duration of ECMO support was 7 days (4 to 16 days). The proportion of measurements in the therapeutic range (15 to 20 mg/liter) was 24%, while 46% were subtherapeutic (<15 mg/liter) and 30% were supratherapeutic (>20 mg/liter). The proportion of measures in the therapeutic range was significantly higher on ECMO days for 6 to 13 (incidence rate ratio [IRR], 2.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2 to 4.6; P = 0.01). Supratherapeutic concentrations were more frequently observed in patients on renal replacement therapy (RRT) (IRR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.3 to 3.1; P = 0.002). The vancomycin concentrations in patients did not vary with age, gender, or type of ECMO support. Patients receiving vancomycin had suboptimal concentrations early in the course of ECMO. Patients not receiving RRT and those with mild to moderate acute kidney injury (AKI) were at a risk of underdosing, while those with established AKI on RRT were likelier to experience supratherapeutic concentrations.

Dysfunctional breathing treated with continuous positive airway pressure in newly diagnosed obstructive sleep apnoea: a prospective cohort study.

A prospective cohort study investigating patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) was conducted to determine the prevalence of dysfunctional breathing and if continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy improves associated symptoms. Almost half of newly diagnosed patients with OSA had dysfunctional breathing and CPAP was not an effective treatment. Dysfunctional breathing is common in patients with OSA.

Use of a limited-channel device for obstructive sleep apnoea diagnosis in a tertiary sleep disorders centre.

BACKGROUND: A major impediment to the provision of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) treatment is reliance on labour-intensive and costly laboratory-based polysomnography (PSG). AIMS: To investigate if measurement of oximetry and nasal flow through the ApneaLink device (AL) could identify patients with moderate-severe OSA among those referred for PSG to a tertiary sleep service. METHODS: New referrals to The Prince Charles Hospital Sleep Disorders Centre were assessed for suitability. Demographics, anthropometrics, Epworth Sleepiness and OSA50 scores were collected. Exclusion criteria included age <18 years, pregnancy, significant cognitive impairment, poorly controlled psychiatric disorder, domiciliary oxygen and prior OSA treatment. Participants underwent concurrent type 1 PSG and AL assessments. RESULTS: One hundred participants had a mean age of 55 years (standard deviation 17) and were 49% male. Forty-eight (48%) had moderate-severe OSA on PSG. Composite variable AL 3% oxygen desaturation index ≥16 and AL apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI) ≥15 had receiver operator characteristic area under the curve of 0.87, sensitivity of 80% and specificity of 94% for PSG AHI ≥15. The three false-positives seen with this composite variable had PSG AHI 11-14 and Epworth Sleepiness Score 6-17. The various composites of AL, anthropometric and questionnaire variables did not improve the AUC or specificity but did improve sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS: AL is useful in the diagnosis of moderate-severe OSA in patients referred to a tertiary sleep disorders centre. This could lessen reliance on PSG, expedite OSA care, lead to significant cost savings and make diagnosis of OSA more available in non-urban areas.

Queensland smoking care in adult acute mental health inpatient units: Supporting practice change.

OBJECTIVE: To review a clinical practice improvement approach to statewide implementation of smoking care in adult acute mental health inpatient units across public mental health services in Queensland. METHOD: Queensland public mental health services, with adult acute inpatient units, joined a statewide collaborative to work together to increase the routine screening of smoking and delivery of a Smoking Cessation Clinical Pathway brief intervention to identified smokers. RESULTS: Over a 2-year period, statewide improvements were demonstrated in the recording of smoking status (88-97%) and in the provision of a brief smoking cessation intervention to smokers (38-73%). In addition, all individual mental health services increased the delivery of a brief intervention to identified smokers and the recording of smoking status either improved or remained at high levels. CONCLUSION: Smoking remains an ongoing challenge for mental health services and one of the most important physical health issues for people living with a mental illness. The ability to implement statewide smoking care in public mental health services is an important step in shifting poor health outcomes. The clinical practice change approach adopted in Queensland has demonstrated encouraging outcomes in improving the delivery of smoking care that has been sustained over a 2-year period.

Longitudinal Reference Ranges for Tricuspid Annular Plane Systolic Excursion and Mitral Annular Plane Systolic Excursion in Normally Grown Fetuses.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to construct reference ranges for fetal tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) and mitral annular plane systolic excursion (MAPSE) using conventional M-mode ultrasound (US) in the second half of pregnancy. METHODS: Participants underwent US scans every 4 weeks from 18 weeks' gestation until delivery. The TAPSE and MAPSE were measured by conventional M-mode US at each examination. The relationships between TAPSE and MAPSE and gestational age and estimated fetal weight were modeled by Bayesian mixed effects linear regression. RESULTS: Positive linear relationships were observed between both MAPSE and TAPSE and gestational age and estimated fetal weight. Reference centiles for TAPSE and MAPSE were developed. CONCLUSIONS: This simple technique is a useful tool for assessing cardiac function and could be used for quantitative assessments of fetal cardiac function, particularly in high-risk pregnancies such as those complicated by maternal diabetes.

Global longitudinal reference ranges for fetal myocardial deformation in the second half of pregnancy.

PURPOSE: To construct longitudinal fetal reference ranges for global longitudinal myocardial deformation (strain and strain rate) of the left and right ventricles in the second half of pregnancy. METHODS: A prospective, observational, longitudinal study of 120 women with uncomplicated singleton pregnancies. The participants underwent ultrasonographic scans every 4 weeks from enrolment (18-28 weeks) until delivery. Strain and strain rate were measured at each examination using velocity vector imaging. Changes in strain and strain rate as functions of gestational age (GA) were modeled using Bayesian mixed effects models. RESULTS: A total of 406 assessments of global longitudinal strain and strain rate were performed for 120 women. Global longitudinal strain and strain rate decreased with increasing GA in the left ventricle. There was, however, no change in strain measurements of the right ventricle over the same gestational time frame. Posterior predictive distributions were used to derive reference centiles for each week of GA. CONCLUSION: Assessment of myocardial deformation of the fetal heart is easily performed and may be useful for quantitative assessment of heart function, particularly in fetuses at risk of cardiac dysfunction.